REDDITCH, England, March 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
GKN Driveline welcomed fifteen 13-14 year-old pupils from Walsall's Barr Beacon school into their automotive driveline facility at Chester Road, Erdington on Thursday the 12th March, 2014. The pupils all gained a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it is like to be an engineer in today's high-tech manufacturing sector.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140325/677336 )
The young people toured the site, watching the automated manufacture of the rugged, high performance sideshafts and propshafts that transmit power from the engine to the wheels of vehicles such as the new Range Rover Evoque.
During the day they talked to senior managers about the company as well as meeting a number of apprentices and engineers only a few years older than themselves and finding out about their experiences. Among the young employees they met was Kerrie Davis who, as part of the company's 'Year in Industry' scheme, was sponsored through a 12 month work experience placement at GKN Driveline Birmingham before her final year at university. Kerrie is now an application engineer at the site.
Neil Geldard-Williams Plant Director at GKN Driveline explained: "This event represents part of our work to inspire the next generation of talented engineers and designers. Nationally we face a significant shortage of technically qualified people with the vital skills our industrial base needs for the future. UK manufacturers must work with schools, the government and our industry partners to ensure young people have an accurate perception of today's manufacturing environment."
James Till, Assistant Headteacher at Barr Beacon school added: "We approached GKN STeM* ambassador John Russell to give pupils interested in engineering apprenticeships an opportunity to see what a modern manufacturing environment is really like. GKN Driveline has been very welcoming and our pupils have had a fantastic time. It has been a real eye opener for them. The standard perception of a tough, dirty manufacturing environment is so far from the truth today, as our pupils discovered in the clean, high tech, streamlined Driveline facility."
This is the second event organised by GKN Driveline's Erdington site to bring local schoolchildren into the site. In October last year a group of teenage students with special educational needs toured the site as part of the UK Government's See Inside Manufacturing (SIM) initiative. SIM is giving children around the country a valuable opportunity to experience today's manufacturing environment.
Editor's Notes:
STeM. The aim of the UK Government funded Structures Technology Maturity STeM programme is to support new concepts in structure and manufacturing that enable expansion of the boundaries of performance and contribute to securing work in the UK for the future.
ABOUT GKN
GKN plc is a global engineering group - our technologies and products are at the heart of vehicles and aircraft produced by the world's leading manufacturers. GKN operates four divisions: GKN Aerospace, GKN Driveline, GKN Powder Metallurgy and GKN Land Systems. Approximately 50,000 people work in GKN companies and joint ventures in more than 30 countries. We harness our considerable technology and manufacturing resources to supply the highest quality systems, structures, components and services.
ABOUT GKN DRIVELINE
GKN Driveline is the world's leading supplier of automotive driveline components and systems. As a global company serving the world's leading vehicle manufacturers, GKN Driveline develops, builds and supplies an extensive range of automotive driveline components - for use in the smallest ultra low-cost car to the most sophisticated premium vehicle demanding the most complex driving dynamics.
GKN Driveline is a leading global producer of CVJ Systems, AWD Systems, Trans Axle Solutions and eDrive Systems and operates in 22 countries at 45 manufacturing locations employing approximately 24,000 people.
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